Material-handling apparatus



Sept. 7 1926.

A. E. SCHULZ IMPERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Fil ed Nov. 14, -1 924 5 Sheets-Sheet J.

E mu

A. E. SCHULZ MATERIAL" HANDLING -APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1924 Sept. 7 192s.

Sept. 7 1926. I 1,598,886

A. E. SCHULZ MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 14. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet s A, E. SCHULZ MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 14', 1924 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

UNITED STATES! PATENT oF icE.

ARTHUR EHRHOLD SGHULZ; OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

I MATERIAL-HANDLING APPARATUS. I

Application filed November 14. 1924. Serial 110,749,953.

This invention relates to material hjan dling apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for conveying coiled elements from a coiling machine to any desired pos tion or apparatus. 2 l

The object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for quickly transferring material from one position or apparatus to another position or app'aratus.

One form 'of the invention is embodied in apparatus for transferring rod from a machine wherein it has been'coiled around a vertical axis to aconveyor leading to a quenching bath or thelike. A coiled rod upon being removed from the coiling element is elevated to the level of a floor or platform which is traversed by a carriage provided with resiliently and piyotally mfounted depending posts terminating in rollers engaging the floor. When th'ecoi'led rod attains this level, a pair of motor driven threaded shafts are automatically rotated, thereby advancing the posts engaging the outside of and pushing the coil over the floor to the conveyor. After the deposition of the coil on the conveyor, the shafts are automatically rotated in the opposite direction to return the carriage to its normal position. The posts are maintained in a substantiallyupright position while the carriage is advancing, but may be readily deflected during retraction, thus permitting them to move readily over any portion of the rod which may have become uncoiled.

Other features of the invention will be come apparent as the detailed description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein'- Fig. 1 is a plan view of apparatus embodying the invention; n

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the'improved apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a central section through a coiling machine with which the improved apparatus cooperates; I

Figs. 1 and 5 are sections taken on lines 47-4: and. 5-5, respectively, of Fig. 1; V

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2; j

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section throughaii electrical switch which forms a paitot the ini jircret apparatus;

"29 are pins 31 and 32.

are adapted, when the motor is operated,

Figs. 9 and 10 are'sections taken on lines 9-9 and 1010, respectively, of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a diagram of a circuit which forms a part of the improved apparatus;

Fig. 12 is a section through a switch which forms a part of the improved apparatus;

Fig. 13 isa section taken on line 1313 of Fig. 12;

Figpl l'is a view. of a relay forming a. part of the improved apparatus;

Figs. 15 and 16 are sections taken on lines 15-15 and 1616 of Fig. 1e and Fig. 15, respectively, and 5 Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view of pneumatically operated mechanism which forms a part of the improved apparatus.

Referring to Figs; 1, 2, and 3, 2O designates generally a coiling machine compris ing a base 21 u-ponwhich is mounted a motor 22 adapted to drive a pinion 2 1 meshing with a bevel gear 26. The bevel gear 26 is secured to a sleeve 27 which is journaled in the base 21 and has rigidly secured to it a disc 29. Projecting upwardly from the disc The pins 31 and 32 to coil rod guided into the space between the pins by a tube 34. The pins 31 and 32 project through aperturesES-formed in a stripping plate 36 secured to a rod 38 which is slidably journaled in the sleeve 27-and is connected by a coupling 39 to a piston'rod 10 secured to a piston 41 disposed in a pneumatic cylinder 42. The cylinder 42 is connected to any suitable source (not shown) of fluid under. pressure by means hereinafter described so that the fluid maybe ad mitted thereto to move the piston. rod 40,

the rod 38 and the stripping plate36 up- Posts 45 depending from a carriage 46 are adapted to push the coiled rod across the floor 43 onto a conveyor 48 driven by any suitable means (not shown) and adapted to deposit the coiled rod in a quenching bath (not shown) or the like. The carriagedh comprises angle irons 50 and 51, the angle irons 51 being secured to the angle irons 50 and being arranged transversely thereof. The carriage do also comprises threaded blocks 53 which are secured to the angle irons 50 and engage horizontally disposed 'wardly in such manner that rod coiled upon the pins 32 is stripped therefrom and raised to the level of a floor 43.

threaded rods 55. The threaded rods 55 are rotatably journaled in bearings 57 and 58 mounted upon a frame 60. Secured to each threaded rod 55 is a bevel gear 62 which meshes with a bevel gear 63 secured to a shaft section 64 ournal ed m a bearing 05 mounted upon the frame 60. The shaft sections Get are operatively connected to each other by a shaft section 6-? which is pivotally secured to the shaft sections 6 by pins 68. Secured to one of the threaded rods 55 is a sprocket operatively connected by a spro'cketcliain- 71 to sprocket 72 which is secured to the shaft 73 of a three-phase motor 7 1%,. the motor Tet being mounted uponthe frame 60. The motor 7-1 is connected by suitable means hereinafter described to a suitable source (not shown) of electrical energy and may be operated to rotate the threaded rods 5-5 first in'one direction. and. then'in the opposite direction to reciprocate the carriage 416.

Each post 45 comprises a tubular nember 77 which is adjustably secured in a block 78 by screws or bolts'79, the block T8 being pivotally mounted between two of the an gleirons 51 by a bolt 80. One of the angle irons 50 is adapted to limit angular displacement of the tubular member 77 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 5) so that when the carriage 16' is moved to the right (Fig. 1) the tubular member will remain in an upright position; Fixed in the upper end of each tubular member 7? is a bushing 83 which slidably journals a rod 8 1-. The lower end of the rod 8 1 is bifurcated to receive a roller 86 rotatably journaled upon a pin 87 fixed in the bifurcations. Rotation of the rod 84 around its longitudinal axis is prevented by a pin 89 secured in-the tubu lar member 77 and disposed between the bifurcations of the rod. Interposed between the bushing 83 and a set collar 90 pinned to the rod 8 1 is a compression spring" 92 which urges the rod downwardly to cause the roller 86 to ride upon the floor 4-3. Downward displacement of the rod Set by the spring 92 is limited by nuts 9-1 threaded upon the up per end of the rod. The function of the roller 86 is to form an extension of the tubular member 77 during the forward travel of the carriage -16 so that all turns of the coiled rod will be properly deposited upon the conveyor 48. i

The tube 84: is secured in a tubular cast ing 97 pivotally mounted upon. a bracket 98 mounted upon vertically disposed bracl: ets 99which are in turnmounted uponthe frame 60. The tubular member 97 is provided with a flaring month 100 which opens into the tube 3 1. Secured in the bracket 98 is one end of a tube 102, the other end'of which is conveniently disposed with respect to rolling mill (not shown). An aperture 104 in the bracket 98 opens into the tube 102 and is aligned with the month 100 when the tube 3% is in the position wherein it is shown in full lines in 0. The month 100 is spaced from the aperture 10 that in the event rodis delivered by the tube 102 into the bent tube 3% when the ct ling; machine 20 is in functionally inoperative condition, the rod may be severed interme diate the tube 102 and the tube 3 and readily withdrawn therefrom. The member 97 passes between rollers 101- J urnaled upon pins 107 secured in a slide 108 which is mounted in ways 109 formed on the brackets 99. The slide 108 is pinned to a piston rod 111 of a piston 112 dispose-:1 in a pneumatic cylinder 113. The cylinder 113 is connected to the supply (not she nj of fluid under pressure by means hereinafter described which controls the admission of the fluid to the cylinder in such nanne: that the slide 108 may be reciprocuted to bring the tube into and out of its fu c tionally operative position with respect to the coiling machine 20, thus permitting;- the tube 3410 be withdrawn from the path of the. carriage 1-5 when coiled rod is to he transferred to the conveyor As shown in Fig. 11, the circuit whi connects the motor H with the source (1 shown) of electrical energy comprises ma 115, 116, and 117, electrical switches 11), 14:0, 150 and 100, and relays 200 and 3-301).

The switch 140 comprises an in slatingr panel 141 (Figs. 12 and 13) carrying' cr '1- tacts 1 12 and 1 13 which may be cn l'a czi by a contact 1 1 1 mounted upon and su lated from a rod 1415. The rod 115 sat. ably journaled in bearings 1 10 and is normally held by a compression spring;- 1 1 a position wherein the contact 14st env the contacts 112 and 1-13. roller 1-18 s rotatably mounted in the lower end of the rod 1 15. The switch 1%0 is mounted upo the frame 60 (Figs. 1 and 2) in position wherein acam plate 162 mounted upon the carriage e6 will engage the roller 118 wire the carriage is in its left hand position (1 2) and will hold the roller 1 18 and the 14:5 in positions wherein the cont will be spaced from the contacts 1- 1 13.

The switch 150 is substantially ident' with the switch 1&0, the several L of being indicated by the refers) A. J: a

mounted upon the frame 00 in a pos tion wherein the roller 158 will be eng'a ed by the cam 162 when the carriage 1G is in its right hand position (Fig. The cont 15 1 will then be spaced from can 152 and 153.

.the coupling 39.

The switch 120 is mounted upon the base be engaged by a metallic roller 124 mounted upon and insulated from a bar 125 fixed to in which rides one end of a pin 128 projecting from a slide 130-. Mounted in the slide 130 and insulated from each other are con tacts 132 and 133 which may be bridged by the roller 124 when the roller is brought into a position wherein it is shown in Fig. 8 during the upward travel ofthe stripping plate 36. The arrangement is such that when the roller 124-. moves upwardly it will engage a latch member 136 pivoted upon the arm 121, will swing the latch member out of its path,

. and will then momentarily engage the contacts 132 and 133 as it passes'th'em. After passing the contacts 132 and 133 the roller 12 1 will engage the arm 122 and will rotate the bell crank lever 123 in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. 8) to move the pin 128, the slide 130, and'the contacts 132 and 133 to the left (Fig. 8) a distance which will permit the ro1ler124: to return to its lowermost position without again engaging the contacts 132 and 133. During its downward stroke the roller 124E engages the latch member 136 and rotatesthe bell crank lever 123 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 8). to restore theconta'cts 132 and 133 to the positions wherein they are shown in Fig. 8.

The relay 200' comprises a winding 211 (Figs. 11, 15 and 16), an armature 212 having an extension 213, and contacts 215, 216, and 217 mounted-upon and insulated from he extension. -When the winding 211 is energized, the contact 215 engages a pair of contacts 219 and 221, the contact 216 engages a contact 222, and the contact 217 engages a pair of contacts 223 and 22 1. Urged against the extension 213 by a compression spring 226 is a slidably mounted rod 227 carrying a contact 228 adapted to engage a pair of contacts 229 and 231 when the wind ing 21.1 is de-energized, the contact 228 being spaced fromthe contacts 229 and 231 when the winding is energized.

The relay 300 is substantially identical with the relay 200 and its parts are'identified by reference numerals ranging from 211 to 231. The last two digits of each reference character designating a part of the relay 300 are identical with the last two digitsol each reference characterdesignating a like part of the relay 200.

Referring toFig. 11, the main 115 is connected to one terminal of the motor 7 1 and to one terminal of theswitch 160. The main 116' is connected to the contacts 221 and 32 1. The main 117 is connected to the contacts 133, 2 2-1, 222, 322, 331, and 321. A second terminal of the motor 74 is connected to the The arm 122 has a slot 127 contacts 223 and 323. The third terminal of the motor 7 {1 is connected to the contacts 219 and 319. The contact 132 is connected to the contact 229. The contact 216 is connected to one terminal of the winding 211 and to the contact 329. The contact 316 is connected to one terminal of the winding 311 and to the contact 231. The contact 1412 is connected to the other terminal of the winding 211. The contacts 113 and 152 are connected to each other and to the other terminal of the switch 160. The contact 153 is connected to the other terminal of the winding 311. Fig. 11 diagrammatically illustrates the condition which exists in the circuit when the carriage is in its left hand position (Fig. 2) and the apparatus is ready to function.

' In Fig. 17 the means for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to the cylinders 42 and 113 is shown. This means comprises a manually operable four-way valve 170, a four-way valve 171, and a threewayvalve 172. The valves 170 and 171 are connected by pipes 17 1 and 175, respectively, to the source (not shown) of fluid under pressure and are connected to the cylinder 12 by pipes 177 and 178. The valves 170 and 172 are connected to the cylinder 12 by pipes 180 and 181 and the valves 171 and 172'are connected tov each other by a pipe 183. The cylinder 113 is connected to the.

valves 171'and 172 by pipes 185and 186, respectively. An exhaust pipe 187 is connected to the valve 170. The valves 171 and 172 are provided with a common valve stem 190 to which is rigidly secured a bifurcated lever 191 adapted to be engaged by a pin 193 mounted upon the carriage 16. The construction is suchv that when the carriage travels to the right (Fig. 1) the pin 193 will engage the bifurcations of the lever 191 and manipulate the. valves 171 and 172 so that the pipe 175 will communicate through the valve'171 with the pipe 183 and th pipe 183 will communicate through the valve 172 with the pipe 186. During the return stroke of the carriage 16 the pin- 193 will engage the bifurcations of the lever 191 and return the valves to the position wherein they are shown in Fig.16- Fig. 17 illustrates the con'dition'which exists when rod is being coiled, the stripping plate 36 being in its lowermost position and the tube 3 1 bein in its functionally operative position wit1 respect to the coiling machine 20.

' In the operation of the apparatus the motor 22 is connected to any suitable source (not shown) of electrical energy by the operator'and the rod is guided to the pins 31 and 32 through the tubes 102 and nipulates the. valve' 170 so that fluid under pressure mayfiow through the pipe 171, the

.yalve170, the pipes 180 and 181, the valve 172 and'the pipe 186 to the cylinders 42 and 113, the fluid being delivered to the cylinder 42 by the pipe 181. The cylinder 113 then communicates with the exhaust pipe 187 through the pipe 185, the valve 171, the pipes 177 and 178, and the valve 170, and the cylinder 41-2 communicates with the enhaust pipe through the pipes 181 and 180, and the valve 170. The stripping plate 36 is then forced upwardly by the piston 11 to strip the coiled rod from the pins 32 and to raise to the level of the floor 13. Simultaneously therewith, the piston 112 is moved upwardly to swing the tube out of the path of the carriage 16. During the stripping operation the roller 12% momen tarily bridges the contacts 132 and 133, thus closing a circuit which may be traced as tollows; From the contact 132 through the contacts 229, 228, 231, the winding 311, contacts 153, 151, and 152, the switch 160, the main 115, the main 117, the contact 133 and the roller 124:- The winding 311, then energized, causes the contact 316 to engage the contact 322, causes the contact 315 to en gage the contacts 319 and 321, causes the contact 317 to engage the contacts and 32-1, and causes the contact 328 to be with drawn from the contacts and 331. he motor 7 -1 will then be connected to the source (not shown) oi electrical energy as follows: One phase of the current will flow through the main 115 directly to one terminal. of the motor. A second phase 01 the current will flow through the main 116, the contacts 321, 317, and 323 to a second terminal of the motor. A third phase of the current will flow through the mam 117, the contacts 321,

315, and 319 to a third terminal of the mo-- tor. The motor 7% when so operated rotates the threaded rods 55 in a proper direction to advance the carriage -16 toward the conveyor 18 so that the posts 45 will engage the coiled rod and push it across the floor -13 onto the conveyor. During theforward stroke of the carriage 16, the pin 193 engages the bifurcations of the lever 191 and manipulates the valves 171 and 172 in the manner above described to connect the cylinder 113 directly to the pipe 175 so that the tube 34 will be prevented from returning into the path of the carriage 416 until the carriage has passed it during the return stroke. When the coiled rod has been re moved from the stripping plate 36, the operator manipulates the valve 170 in such manner that the pipe 174 is connected to the cylinder &2 through the valve and the pipe 178, the cylinder being simultaneously connected with the exhaust pipe 187 through the pipes 180 and 181 and the valve. Preterably, the valve 170 is so manipulated di rectly after the posts 15 have removed the coiled rod from the stripping plate 36 that the motor 22 may be brought up to the de- 171 and 172 messes sired speed, for the following coiling operation, before the carriage 16 has completed its return stroke. Then the czuriagc 416 has been advanced to the position wherein the posts 15 deposit the coiled rod upon the couveyor 18, the cam 162 engages the roller 15S and discngages the contact 151 from the contacts 152 and 153, thus ale-energizing the winding 311 causing the contact 328 to enga e the contacts and 331, causing disengagement ol the contact 316 from the contact 322, disengagement or the contact from the contacts 316 and 321, and disengagement ot the contact 317 "from the con tacts 323 and 32st. The winding 211 is then energized by current flowing in a circuit which may be traced as follows: From the main 115 through the switch 160 through the contacts 113, 1 145:, and 1 1-2, the winding 211, the contacts 329, and 331, and the main 117. The motor 71 will then be connected to the mains 115, 116. and 117 in such manner that its direction of rotation will be reversed and the threaded rods 55 will be rotated to retract the carriage 16, the motor being connected to the source of electrical energy as follows; Through the main 115 to one terminal ot the motor; through the main 116, the contact 221, the contact 215, and the contact 219 to a seconc terminal'ot the motor, and through the main 117, the contact 224, the contact 217 and the contact to a third terminal of the motor. During the return stroke of the carriage 16, the pin 193 again engages the lever 191 and restores the valves to tae condition illustrated in Fig. 17 so that the tube 34 again assumes its operative position with respect to the coil ing machine 20. When the carriage 46 en ters its left hand position (Fig. 1) the cam 162 will engage the roller 1 "8 to disengage the contact 1 1-1 from the contacts 14-2 and 1&3. This (lo-energizes the winding 211, and the contacts of the relay 200 are restored to the positions wherein they are shown in Fig. 11, and the motor 7 1 is brought to a full stop.

lVhat is claimed is 1. The combination with means for coiling an element, of means for stripping the coiled element from the coiling means, movable means tor removing the coiled element from the stripping means, means adapted to form an extension of the movable means in a direction at an angle to the movement thereof, and means for holding the last-mew tioned means in an extended position with respect to the movable means.

The combination with means for coiling an element, of means for stripping the coiled element from the ceiling means, pivotet means for removing the coiled element from the stripping means along a predetermined path, means adapted to form an extension of the pivot-ed means in a direction at an angle to the movement thereof, and yielding means for holding the last-mentioned means in an extended position with respect to the pivoted means, said pivoted means designed to swing in the path of the coiled element.

3. The combination with means for coiling an element, of means for stripping the coiled element from the coiling means, a pivoted post, means for reciprocating the post to remove the coiled element from the stripping means andmove it along a predetermined path, and means for holding the post in a predetermined position during one stroke of each excursion thereof, said post designed to swing in the path 01 the coiled element.

4. The combination with means for coiling an element, of means for stripping the coiled element from the coiling means, a pivoted post, means for causing relative reciprocatory motion between the post and the stripping means to remove thecoiled element from the stripping means and move it along a predetermined path, and yielding means for holding the post in its functionally opera-tive positlon, said post designed to swlng.

in the path of the coiled element.

5. The combination with means for coiling an element, of means for stripping the coiled element from the coiling means, a threaded member, an electrical circuit, an electrical motor included therein and designed to rotate the member, means movable in response to a rotation of the threaded member to engage the coiled element, and

' circuit controlling means included in'the circuit and actuated by the stripping means for operating the motor-and thereby rotat ing the member to remove the coiled element from the stripping means and move it along a predetermined path.

6. The combination with means for coiling an element, of means. for stripping the coiled element from the coiling means, a

threaded member, an electrical circuit, an electrical motor included therein and designed to rotate the member, means movable in response to a rotation of the threaded member to engage the coiled element, circuit the means engaging the coiled element during the movement thereof away from the stripping means to render the circuit controlling means inefi'eotive,

7 The combination with means for coiling an element, of means for stripping the coiled element from the coiling means, a threaded member, an electrical circuit, an electrical motor included therein and designed to rotate the member, means movable in response to a rotation of the threaded member to engage the coiled element, circuit controlling means included in the circuit and actuated by the stripping means for oper ating the motor and thereby rotating the member to remove the coiled element from the stripping means and move it along a.

predetermined path, and a second circuit controlling means included in the circuit and actuated by the means engaging the coiled'element during the movement thereof away from the stripping means to render the first mentioned circuit controlling means ineffective and to reverse the motor and thereby reverse the direction of rotation of the threaded member to return the coiled element engaging means along the predetermined path. v

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 30th day of October A. 1)., 1924.

ARTHUR EHRHOLD sci-1on2. 

